Kids deploy to RAF Mildenhall for fun day of activities

A boy is buckled into the seat of a CV-22 Osprey at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. An MC-130J Commando and a KC-135 Stratotanker were also on display during the “kids deployment line.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor)

A boy wears a stethoscope while learning how to listen to a heartbeat at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. Self-aid and buddy care was one of the stations featured at the “kids deployment line.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor)

A boy smiles in the back of a patrol car during the “kids deployment line” at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. Security Forces was one of 22 agencies who participated in the event to teach kids what life is like while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor)

An Airman from the 48th Fighter Wing’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal teaches kids about the protective body suit he wears for his job at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. EOD was one of 22 agencies who participated in the event to teach kids what life is like while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor)

An Airman from the 48th Fighter Wing’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal operates a robot as children look on at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. EOD was one of 22 agencies who participated in the event to teach kids what life is like while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor)

A boy looks at the coin he received from his commander after completion of the “kids deployment line” at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted the event for the second year in a row to teach kids about what life is like during a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor)

A boy dons an oxygen mask in the cockpit of an MC-130J Commando at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 3, 2018. The children who attended the “kids deployment line,” or Operation Together and Ready, stepped inside two other aircraft: a CV-22 Osprey and a KC-135 Stratotanker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Kelly O'Connor)

Children at RAF Mildenhall participated in a ‘kids deployment line’ hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center Aug. 2, 2018.
The ‘kids deployment line,’ or Operation Together and Ready, had sons and daughters from Team Mildenhall rally together to learn about what life is like in a deployed environment.

Children at RAF Mildenhall participated in a ‘kids deployment line’ hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center Aug. 2, 2018.

The ‘kids deployment line,’ or Operation Together and Ready, had sons and daughters from Team Mildenhall rally together to learn about what life is like in a deployed environment.

The event kicked off with the pre-deployment phase, where the children in processed with Airmen from finance, legal, medical and the base chaplain. Once in processed, the children stood in formation to hear a mission brief from their commander, followed by lunch and a Security Forces K-9 demonstration.

The children also toured three static displays: a CV-22 Osprey, a MC-130J Commando, and a KC-135 Stratotanker.

“My favorite plane was the one that carries the gas,” said 9-year-old Harper Richardson, “because it was really high up and he let us sit in the front seat. There were so many buttons and he let us steer the steering wheel.”

During the latter half of the day, the children visited stations around the hangar to learn about self-aid and buddy care, physical fitness and explosive ordnance disposal.

Matthew Woodworth’s three children took part in the day’s activities while their mom, Master Sgt. Aubree Woodworth, is deployed.

“I think when they finally get to talk to their mom again, they’re going to be really excited to tell her about today,” Woodworth said. “They’ll have lots of questions to ask her about her deployment.”

One part of the U.S. Air Force’s initiative is building resilient families, and Operation Together and Ready was an event focused on resiliency.

“When we have resilient Airmen, that will translate into resilient families,” said Senior Master Sgt. Marlon Jackson, AFRC Readiness NCO. “By doing events like this, we can build resiliency in the children because this gives them an idea of what it’s like when their parents go off and deploy.”

The day ended with the commander rewarding each kid with a coin, a token for all their hard work on the long deployment. Finally, the kids were welcomed home with kisses and cupcakes.